Toms River Police search for missing woman

Toms River Police are still searching for an 18-year-old woman who has been missing for a week.

Kayla Tufaro (Toms River Police)

Kayla Tufaro left her home on Monday night, Aug. 11 after stating she was “leaving and wanted to do her own thing" and did not want anyone to look for her, according to a statement from Toms River Police. Her mother, Ann, reported her to police as being missing the next day. An investigation was opened and Kayla was reported to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Kayla has not been heard from for the past week although there have been unconfirmed sights of her.

She is described as 5 feet tall, 150 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes, and a piercing in her nose. There is concern from friends and family that she may have met someone through one of several dating sites she uses

"We want to hear that she is okay so that her family can put their fears to rest," police said in a statement.

Ann told the Toms River Patch that Kayla has no driver's license or identification. The Ocean County Police, Fire and EMS page reports she had an iPhone but may have sold it for cash.

Police says they "will leave no stone unturned" in their attempts to make sure Kayla is safe despite allegations by by her mother in the Toms River Patch that they slow to begin a wide search for her because of her age.

“She may be an adult legally, but she is still my child,” Ann Kelly told the Patch. “I have been beside myself since she left.”

Police note that they "make no judgments about her age or the circumstances of her departure in the investigation of this case.

Anyone with information about Kayla should contact Toms River Police at 732-349-0150 ext. 1319.